The wounds on Second Madam Hsieh were not difficult for Serena Feng to handle; the real challenge was the sheer number of injuries, which made the treatment extremely time-consuming.
On top of that, the lighting in the room was terrible. To ensure her stitches were perfect, Serena Feng had to bend over, closely inspecting each wound on Second Madam.
By the time all the wounds were cleaned and treated, the sun had already set. Serena was starving and exhausted, her back nearly locked from hours of bending, and her eyes were dry and bloodshot.
“This really is exhausting work.”
Serena forced herself to ignore her discomfort, tidied up the medical waste, removed her gloves, and carefully sorted everything back into her Smart Med-Pack.
Then, she meticulously washed her hands in the clean water she had prepared ahead of time—once, twice... She washed them seven times before finally stopping.
If anyone else saw this, eight or nine out of ten would think Serena Feng was obsessive or neurotic.
But most doctors have some degree of obsessiveness about cleanliness. They know just how many bacteria lurk in wounds, and how painful an infection can be.
After thoroughly confirming there was no problem, Serena finally let herself show her exhaustion, reaching to rub her aching, nearly numb lower back.
Her left hand supported her waist, while her right rubbed her back as she walked out—her posture uncannily resembling that of a pregnant woman.
Caleb Wang looked up and saw Serena Feng in that exact posture.
"Pfft..." He spat out his tea in shock.
The maid hurried forward to help, but Caleb Wang waved her away.
Looking completely stunned, Caleb Wang strode toward Serena Feng, utterly disregarding his usual aristocratic image: "Serena Feng, are you alright? You can't possibly...?"
His gaze landed squarely on Serena's lower abdomen.
It wasn't that Caleb was overthinking—it was everything Serena had been through, plus her current posture, that made his mind race.
After what happened at the city gate, with her clothes in disarray... In those circumstances, no one believed Serena Feng was still pure. So if she really was pregnant, it would be understandable.
But...
For some reason, just imagining that possibility made Caleb Wang feel agitated, as if he wanted to kill whoever might be 'the child's father.'
What kind of shameless man would do something so cruel to a woman like Serena Feng?
Most of all, why did it have to be Serena Feng, and not someone else?
In his whole life, Caleb Wang had rarely met a woman so different from the rest—yet she was such a tragic figure.
Serena shot him an annoyed glare. "Seventh Young Master, do me a favor and take your eyes off me—and take all those messy thoughts with you. I'm not pregnant."
As for whether she was 'pure' or not, Serena had no intention of explaining. Even if she did, Caleb Wang wouldn't believe her, and even if he did, it wouldn't help her at all.
So why bother wasting her breath?
Serena mocked herself inwardly.
"Ahem, what nonsense are you thinking about? A young lady who hasn't even married—pregnant, seriously?" Caleb Wang scolded, his last bit of hope dashed.
From what Serena said, she really must have been violated.
Caleb Wang felt his spirits sink, but forced himself to perk up.
"Serena Feng, your medical skills seem impressive. Whose school did you train under?"
Was he probing her?
Serena looked up, meeting Caleb Wang's deep, dark eyes.
Only now did Serena realize that this Wang family young master actually had a decent character. His eyes were clear and upright; his gaze wasn't prying, but rather held a hint of hope.
Could it be that someone in the Wang family was ill?
It was a doctor's habit: when someone asked about her skills, her first thought was that there must be a patient. Though honestly, she'd rather everyone be healthy and all doctors starve.
"They're alright. As for my lineage, you'd have to ask my mother. She left me her medical books." Forgive her for shifting the story onto someone long gone—only this way could she avoid a web of lies she had no interest in spinning.
"So it was Lady Feng. No wonder." Hearing that, Caleb Wang trusted her medical skills even more.
No wonder—Serena Feng's mother hadn't spent many years in the capital, but her reputation was legendary. Her life was nothing short of extraordinary.
She had risen from a nameless commoner to become the wife of a third-rank general, and was even granted an official title.
A woman like that was truly legendary—and the man who married her was even more respected. After all, in these times, even ordinary folk wouldn't marry a woman of low birth.
Women of low birth weren't even qualified to be concubines—most ended up working in brothels, or taking on menial jobs like midwife or matchmaker.
"Do you need anything? If not, could you move aside? I'm starving." Serena Feng hadn't had a drop to drink all day—she was not only hungry, but parched.
Caleb Wang immediately bristled and shouted at the maid behind him, "Is this how the Wang manor treats guests? Hurry up and bring tea and food!"
He really didn't treat himself like an outsider at all.
"Yes, right away!" The maid turned pale, lifted her skirt, and ran off, muttering to herself that Caleb Wang must be possessed—his temper was getting worse and worse.
"Miss Feng, this way please. Since I haven't eaten yet either, why not join me?" Caleb Wang quickly switched back to his suave, confident manner as he invited Serena.
Now that he knew Serena's medical skills were good, he genuinely wanted to befriend her.
Putting on a few airs and saying some nice things was no big deal—maybe this woman really could help his older brother.
"Thanks." Serena didn't know what Caleb Wang was plotting, but she knew that people don't show sudden kindness without a reason.
Thinking it over, her only asset was her modest medical skill. That must be what made this noble son take notice.
So with that in mind, Serena didn't stand on ceremony and sat down without hesitation.
No sooner had she sat than the servants brought tea—small cups, fragrant and clear, top-quality Biluochun. Caleb Wang sipped slowly, but Serena downed hers in one go.
"Do you have a bigger cup? Never mind, just give me plain water instead." Even after finishing, she complained.
Caleb Wang looked down at his tea, unsure whether to drink or not.
This girl was so forthright, yet she didn't seem crude at all—if anything, she was carefree and elegant.
She really was a contradiction.
Caleb Wang set down his cup and told the maid, "Go bring two cups of water."
Serena ignored the scrutiny from the Hsieh maids and Caleb Wang, picked up the water and drank straight away.
She was dying of thirst!
Gulp, gulp.
After downing a big cup of water, Serena felt much less tired and her energy returned. Only then did she turn her attention to Caleb Wang.
"Thank you, Seventh Young Master."
Caleb Wang had wanted to befriend Serena because of her medical skills, but seeing her act so naturally and honestly in front of a noble like him, he couldn't help but feel some admiration.
He'd seen enough fake, affected women. Meeting someone so genuine and unpolished, it was hard not to appreciate her.
Of course, it was purely admiration.
Caleb Wang would never have any other thoughts about Serena. Not only could he never accept a woman who'd lost her purity, but her status and background weren't enough for the Wang manor.
She couldn't be a wife, and not even a bed-warming concubine—the Wang family would never allow it.
Once those messy thoughts were gone, Caleb Wang found it much easier to talk with Serena. He was tired of always maintaining his noble image, worrying about status and reputation...
At first, Serena only responded half-heartedly, but as the conversation went on, she realized Caleb Wang actually had substance. Through him, she learned a lot about Eastlyn's customs, people, and history.
They chatted happily until a maid came to announce that dinner was ready. Reluctantly, they got up.
By this time, Caleb Wang had let go of his prejudices and found a way to interact with Serena.
He stopped seeing Serena as a woman and treated her as a friend—no gender involved.
After dinner at the Hsieh manor, Caleb Wang escorted Serena back to Feng Manor. Before leaving, he said:
"Serena Feng, my family name is Wang, my given name is Jinhan, courtesy name Yaoxu, seventh in birth order—people call me Seventh Young Master. You may call me Jinhan."
Serena was startled for a moment, then understood.
In ancient times, names were important. If someone told you their name and courtesy name, it meant they recognized you.
This Seventh Young Master was actually pretty interesting.
Serena smiled and walked toward Feng Manor. As she reached her little courtyard, suddenly...